CAF Men’s Player Of The Year Awards: With just days before the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco, the race for the coveted CAF Men’s Player of the Year title remains one of the tightest in recent memory.
Organizers have chosen to retain all five nominees, leaving football fans across the continent in eager anticipation of the announcement on Monday.
The prestigious event will begin at the Palais des Congrès at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT/20h00 Cairo time/21h00 East African time).
The five finalists, representing the pinnacle of African football, have showcased exceptional talent and achievements over the past year.
The Finalists
Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Club: Brighton & Hove Albion, England
Adingra played a pivotal role in Ivory Coast’s 2023 AFCON victory, scoring a crucial equalizer in the quarterfinals and providing two assists in the final against Nigeria. His contributions earned him the Best Young Player award at the tournament. At club level, he has been a standout performer for Brighton in the Premier League, enhancing his reputation as a rising star.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
- Club: Borussia Dortmund, Germany
Guirassy’s goal-scoring prowess lit up the Bundesliga, where he set a club record for Stuttgart before moving to Dortmund. He netted 30 goals in the 2023-24 season and continued his form for Guinea, scoring 23 goals in international and club competitions this year.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain, France
Hakimi, known for his consistent brilliance, led PSG to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double while earning a bronze medal with Morocco at the Paris Olympic Games. His influence on and off the pitch solidifies his place among the continent’s elite players.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
- Club: Atalanta, Italy
Lookman’s stellar performances in 2024 included a historic Europa League final hat-trick for Atalanta and three goals during Nigeria’s AFCON campaign, where they reached the final. He was named in the Team of the Tournament, further highlighting his contributions to both club and country.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa)
- Club: Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa
Williams, South Africa’s captain and goalkeeper, led Bafana Bafana to a bronze medal at AFCON 2023 with heroic penalty saves. At club level, his defensive leadership helped Mamelodi Sundowns win their seventh consecutive domestic league title while conceding just 11 goals all season.
An Evening of History
The suspense surrounding this year’s CAF Men’s Player of the Year reflects the incredible depth of talent across the continent.
As fans and analysts speculate on the winner, the final decision will undoubtedly be etched into African football history.
The stage is set for a memorable evening, with each nominee deserving of the accolade. Football enthusiasts across the globe will be watching as the 2024 CAF Men’s Player Of The Year Awards crown its newest champion.
Who do you think earned and deserves to be crowned the CAF Men’s Player Of The Year Awards?
